Dog Training Advice for Senior Dogs

Dog training advice for senior dogs
will depend as much on the dog's age as on his training history.
Teaching an old dog new commands is easier than making him forget old
habits.

House Training Tips for Senior Dogs

You might want to paper train a senior dog that has been previously
trained to go outside to eliminate, because senior dogs are more likely
to eliminate more frequently. A senior dog is easier to house train than
a young puppy because he has a larger bladder and better control of it.
After making sure there are no health problems such as diarrhea or
incontinence, you can start the training.

Teach the dog the right spot for eliminating urine or feces by taking
him there after each meal, when he wakes up in the morning, before
sleep and after each play session. Praise and reward the dog each time
he eliminates in the right place. A clicker might be used, although
praising can be enough. If you use a clicker, first associate the click
with a treat, then proceed to the actual training. Do not punish the dog
for mistakes, just clean the spot and withhold the reward.

Obedience Training Tips for Senior Dogs

Although methods such as a training collar are said to work well, a
more modern approach is training through reward. If you choose to give
treats, make sure they are low in fat and in accordance with the diet
your veterinarian approves. Clicker training can help avoid giving too
many treats, because once the sound is associated with a pleasant
reward, you do not need to always follow the click with a treat.
Petting, verbal praise or toys are rewards you can also successfully use
in the training.

Crate Training Tips for Senior Dogs

If your senior dog has never been in a crate before, the most
important thing is to give him time to adjust. Start by making the crate
as comfortable as possible; put a rug inside, pillows, blankets and
maybe some toys. Make sure the crate is large enough for the dog to
stand up and turn, but not too large, because this might tempt him to
soil the crate. At first let the dog stay inside the crate without
closing it, and then gradually close it for short times. Keep the dog in
the crate for short random times during the day, making sure he is not
left alone in the room, so that he doesn't associate the crate with
being alone.

Retraining Senior Dogs

Retraining a senior dog in order to get rid of bad habits will be a
challenge. While one month of daily short sessions will be enough for
teaching him new things, you will need more time and determination for
retraining. Still, it is important to keep in mind that you have to have
patience.

It might be helpful for both you and your dog if you concentrated on
the new behavior you want to impose rather than on the old bad habit.
This means less punishment and more rewards and praising.